for 20 years, reporting on the business of the computer-aided design industry

Sunday, April 08, 2018

Autodesk Wants to Be Your Dassault

Issue #975

by Ralph Grabowski

With its ultimate aim being subscription-only access to applets getting their data from a single centralized database, Autodesk follows in the footsteps laid down first by Dassault Systemes. More of more of this is revealed the company's annual Autodesk University event.

During the event last fall, a number of Autodesk executives made themselves available to the CAD media for a question-and-answer session. Here is my transcript, which must be seen as a paraphrase; the first question below came from me. At times, more than one executive provided an answer.

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Q: You have indicated that Fusion is the future for MCAD at Autodesk. What does this mean for Inventor?

A: Inventor's future is bright, with lots of programmers working on enhancements. We are connecting Fusion to Inventor, so designers can use either one, depending which does a better job.

A: Fusion has a data connection to Inventor through AnyCAD. But our emphasis is on the manufacturing process through improvements downstream.

[AnyCAD from Autodesk is not related to AnyCAD from AnyCAD Graphics Solution. The Autodesk version is meant for use with Fusion to maintain native files from Solidworks, Pro/E, and so on. -Ed.]

A: In our PDM [product design and manufacturing] collection, all users can use Fusion as well as Inventor, so it is not either/or.

Q: How many customers use how much in a collection [software suite]? How many buy a collection because it is the only way to get Inventor?

A: We are still collecting data, but we find that most customers use two [of 14 programs in PDM collection]. We would like to see them get to three.

Users subsequently revealed that it was Autodesk's own license agreement prevented Collections customers from using more than two programs. Autodesk last week finally corrected the oopsie, allowing licensees to employ all 14 programs in their workplace -- five months after the question was raised. -Ed.]

Q: With data being centralized [in the Quantum-like database], does this mean each product line can access this data?

A: We are making sure that the right pieces can flow to each persona [or applet, a subset of a program]. This is different from importing and transferring data between programs.

A: The cloud makes files go away; you query and get access to the data, no huge files need to be accessed. Our first example is Project Quantum, which is currently focused on accessing Revit data. We might emphasize data flow[between products] over [product] features in the future.

A: Forge [programming language] is the common platform on which everything is being built now, which customers and partners also have the exact same access to.

Q: How do you prioritize the needs of the Forge platform when you have so many different kinds of users, say construction users versus augmented reality users.

A: We find it is not a problem. Every one needs to access data, and then people see what applets can help out, such as visualization. Forge is the same for programmers inside and outside Autodesk.

Q: I remember when Fusion was a platform. Are you moving away from that?

A: It was probably a linguistic thing; Fusion is built on top of Forge. We are seeking the unification of simulation, design visualization, and so on.

Q: How much exclusivity is there in making Forge-based apps in specific areas?

A: We have a mix, where some developers are opportunistic. And then there are some who Autodesk approaches and we ask them to build a specific Forge app. We allow three, four, five developers to go after the same market, so that customers can decide.

Q: Why was Configure One [software for configuring, pricing, and quoting] acquired, then divested?

A: It was a change of focus by us. It was useful at the time, and now they are a[third-party] Forge partner.

[Configure One was software for carrying out configuring, pricing, and quoting functions. -Ed.]

Q: You have said you are aiming for 50% sales direct including from your Web site, and 50% sales through retailers. How will this happen, and who will be the retailers [that will be making] more money per reseller, but with fewer resellers?

A: Partners have to move to a services model, where they sell services (consulting, installation, training) in addition to selling product. Some of them are Forge developers.

A: Customers can buy either way, direct, online, or from a reseller.

Q: Is Fusion Connect being used with IoT in buildings and products?

A: We have not yet found the sweet point in IoT [Internet of things] for us. We need to figure out how to get development partners to build on top of the IoT capabilities in Forge, like bringing field data back to the design.[Fusion Connect is an IoT cloud service for connecting to and managing remote products.]

Q: What is your top priority for 2018?

A: Making sure users see value in putting all the software products together, instead of being in three departments -- BIM, MCAD, and Civil.

Analysis by Ralph Grabowski

The master plan outlined at AU is clear, even if some parts are tentative. Here is what to expect from Autodesk:

All programs and data to connect with one another through the Forge API (partially implemented)

Each program to store its data in a single database (baby steps taken)

The plan resembles what Dassault Systemes did when they launched V6 (now named 3Dexperience) nearly a decade ago, with Envoia holding all data from their CAD and other software in a single database, with software and modules paid for by subscriptions.

This model is suitable for large corporations and some startups, but the direction is an on-going concern for Autodesk customers who do 2D drafting with software on permanent licenses. CEO Andrew Anagnost stated clearly at AU he has little interest in retaining legacy customers who do not follow his plan. As a result, the many firms that provide AutoCAD workalikes with permanent licenses are benefiting from Autodesk's swerve in direction.

Autodesk states that it wants most permanent+maintenance licenses converted to annual subscriptions by early 2021. Anagnost had asked doubters to give him a year to prove the benefit of paying subscriptions for access to cloud-based services that are otherwise unavailable. The year is nearly over, with the flawed launch of Autodesk 2019 giving hold-outs their next reason to keep on holding out.

[Disclosures: This article first appeared in Design Engineering magazine, and is reprinted with permission. Some text was updated to reflect current events. Autodesk provided me with airfare, accommodating, and some meals.]

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But it was not done yet. The same day, Stratasys also announced it is spinning off its Selective Thermoplastic Electrophotographic Process (STEP) technology to form a new company, Evolve Additive Solutions. www.evolveadditive.com

I suspect these spin-offs are attempts to attain elusive profitability.

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Nemetschek Group is calling itself "the world’s second largest software provider for the AEC industry." The group owns brand names like ArchiCAD,BlueBeam,and Vectorworks. It is feeling confident enough to announce a growth target for 2020: annual revenues of more than e600 million ($750 million). I just noticed that this projection represents a 50% increase over 2017. www.nemetschek.com/en/presse/press-releases

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MachineWorks is improving its Polygonica polygonal modeling software engine to fills holes left by 3D point cloud scanning, including holes with islands. A new fill type matches features on opposite sides of holes, and then extends them across the holes. www.polygonica.com

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MAGIX Software released Photostory Premium VR, its first virtual reality software at $130 or $10 monthly.

It creates VR worlds from conventional photos and videos, with no additional hardware, and is played back on the free MAGIX VR-X player. www.magix.com/us/photo-graphic

Steve Johnson (@SteveJohnsonCAD): Facebook is bad, therefore rent our products. Is this the longest bow ever drawn in support of subscription? Must be close. upFront.eZine (@upFronteZine): I'm thinking back to when a previous Autodesk ceo boasted about how much data they collect from customers through CIP[Customer Involvement Program].

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For late-breaking CAD news, follow upFront.eZine on Twitter at @upfrontezine.

Letters to the Editor

Re: Figuring out what AutoCAD 2019 is

You know what I'd like to see instead of something like [One AutoCAD]? Related products working together, and Autodesk finishing something.

In 2018, if someone does a plant P&ID in AutoCAD P&ID, AutoCAD Electrical can't pull info from the said P&ID. or Revit MEP with AutoCAD Electrical. These related products don't talk at all.

Then there's stuff like no project manager for AutoCAD. Every vertical has its own implementation and, no, the Sheet Set Manager is not a project manager; it's not even finished. So if you're an interdisciplinary firm, there's manual management of the drawing set, but no built-in tool.

Then there's things in Inventor I'd like to see finished, because the 60-80% that Autodesk did do killed off third-party companies that delivered the entire toolset. How many structural add-ons were there before Autodesk came out with Frame Generator? - Donovan Cox (via WorldCAD Access)

The editor replies: What I think One AutoCAD shovelware means is that Autodesk sees Civil 3D as the only valuable one remaining in its AutoCAD add-on stable. The others are supplanted (Architecture -> Revit) or are not doing well in the market (i.e., Plant 3D).

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They used to do this with Inventor Pro perpetual seats, too. Just before my maintenance subscription ended last December I went to download all relevant updates and what do I see but most of these add-ons were gone. Here today, gone tomorrow.

Even though they "give" you more things. how many of them can you open and work with at one time -- even by the authorized user? Can they even communicate with each other?

With 23% [of Autodesk] staff fired within the last year or so, what you see today is all you are going to get for some time to come. The days of advancement and innovation with Autodesk are over, because "subscription" means hostages, and hostages are not able to dictate terms nor demand improvements.

I do like the new way as a source of gallows humor: 'Here you go subscribers! Just for you we are going to add a bunch of programs (that are not advancing) to the one you came here for (which will also not be advancing).' Funny how the only advancement you can rely on with this brave new Autodesk world is cost increases. - Dave Ault

The editor replies: I and others suspect One AutoCAD means that the add-ons will no longer get much in the way of new features -- abandonware. Perhaps the idea is to give users just enough of architecture, etc to get them frustrated enough to buy Revit, etc.

Mr Ault responds: The death spiral here is pretty amazing. The more staff Anagnost fires to save money the worse it will all get. I was reading some of Scott Moyses' comments on the Artcam forum today and he mentioned that while Fusion 360 is being touted as the answer to all CAD and CAM problems, their developer staff has been reduced, too. Anagnost gambled on being able to force paradigm change within a certain timeframe, but failed and now the desperation sets in.

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As always, excellent reality check! FYI: I quit using AutoCAD as my main CAD software back around the late 90s. The reason: It was ancient tech back then, and costs too much in time and labor.

The other reason: Autodesk never listens to its customers. I remember when I was forced to "upgrade" from AutoCAD R14 to the next release. I had a $50 add-on that could search and edit any and all text elements in any and all drawings. It was amazing!! Haven't seen anything like it in any 2D or 3D CAD program since then. I still have the 3.5" floppy disk it came on.

However, the AutoCAD developers, in their infinite wisdom, purchased the rights to that add-on and shelved it. Instead of incorporating it in AutoCAD, they crafted their own pathetic version of a text editor that began as a piece of garbage, and grew worse with every new release. Anybody who's edited P&ID drawings knows that it's impossible to do without a 'robust' text editor.

I quit editing P&ID drawings after Release 14. My point: Autodesk stepped on it when they shunned their customers' advice and nosed their investors instead. At least between Release 11 and 14 they pretended to listen to their customers. Good riddance Autodesk, b/c I'm moving on! - Cadman (via WorldCAD Access)

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